By Canadian Press

Canada’s Milos Raonic moves on, Denis Shapovalov, Vasek Pospisil out at Rogers Cup

Jul 27, 2016 | 12:10 PM

TORONTO — Milos Raonic is always happy to hear the hometown fans at the Rogers Cup. But he likes it even more when the cheers aren’t just for him.

Raonic downed Yen-Hsun Lu of Chinese Taipei 6-3, 6-3 on Wednesday in the second round of the Rogers Cup, while fellow Canadians Denis Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil were eliminated. All three, however, had the support of boisterous crowds at York University’s Aviva Centre.

“It’s actually a pleasure to have more and more players to share with,” said Raonic, who was one of a record seven Canadians playing in the second round of the Rogers Cup, including Eugenie Bouchard and Francoise Abanda in the women’s tournament in Montreal. “I think this was the most players we had in the second round in a long time. It’s great to see that. It’s great to see it from a young group of players, as well.

“It’s an exciting time for Canadian tennis. It’s a big spotlight, so it’s a pleasure to share.”

Raonic, from nearby Thornhill, Ont., will face American Jared Donaldson in the third round. Donaldson advanced after beating Fabio Fognini 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

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Raonic found the excited fans to be a bit of a distraction in the second set of his match. He spoke to the chair umpire about conversations floating down to the court from corporate boxes while he was serving and also people walking in the aisles during the match.

Despite those distractions, a smile played across his face when some fans shouted “Another win for Milos!” referencing an episode of the 1990s sitcom Seinfeld. He responded to that playful call from the crowd with his seventh ace of the night to take a 5-2 lead in the second set.

In the final match of the night, the 17-year-old Shapovalov from Richmond Hill, Ont., fell to Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-3. Shapovalov had the crowd’s support from the coin toss on, with many fans wearing red and white and waving small Canadian flags.

Shapovalov came out strong in the first set, working to a 3-3 tie with Dimitrov. But the veteran player pulled away, dominating with serves.

Down 5-2 in the second set, Shapovalov brought the fans to their feet and won the advantage with a between-the-legs forehand. Dimitrov returned the trick shot, but Shapovalov fired back another forehand, screaming in celebration when it stayed in.

“The best part is I feel is that there are kids after the match saying ‘You’re in my heart. Even though you lost, it doesn’t matter,’” said Shapovalov. “Like they believe in me. They see me as a role model.

“That’s very inspiring for me, first of all, but also it motivates them to work harder because they want to become like me.”

Vancouver’s Pospisil lost to France’s Gaels Monfils 7-6 (6), 6-0 on the smaller grandstand court. Despite the limited confines of that court — and a brief cloudburst during his match — it was standing room only for Pospisil’s match, with fans hanging on every shot.

Also in second-round play, Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic downed Peter Polansky of Thornhill 7-6 (5), 6-4. Australia’s Bernard Tomic defeated Toronto’s Steven Diez 6-3, 7-6 (4).

“It’s nice to see Canadians around the tournaments,” said Raonic. “And then to have familiar faces, to have that kind of connection and positive attitude that will carry here through Davis Cup weeks, as well, is definitely a big plus.”

Earlier Wednesday, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic survived a scare from Gilles Muller and held on for a 7-5, 7-6 (3) win. Although many top players have backed out of playing at the Rio Games — including Roger Federer and Raonic — because of the potential risk of being exposed to the Zika virus or lingering injuries, Djokovic confirmed on Wednesday that he was committed to playing for Serbia at the international event.

No. 2 seed Stan Wawrinka needed two tiebreaks to beat Mikhail Youzhny 7-6 (3), 7-6 (8), third seed Kei Nishikori downed Dennis Novikov 6-4, 7-5 and fifth seed Tomas Berdych dispatched Borna Coric 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

Ryan Harrison upset ninth seeded John Isner 7-6 (3), 6-7 (4), 6-4, Rajeev Ram beat Lucas Pouille 6-4, 7-6 and Jack Sock cruised past Donald Young 6-4, 6-3. Kevin Anderson beat Dominic Thiem after the latter retired. David Goffin also won after Sam Querrey retired.

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John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press